Disable or Enable SSH Root Login and Limit SSH Access in Linux

Today, everyone knows that Linux systems comes with root user access and by default the root access is enabled for outside world. For security reason it’s not a good idea to have ssh root access enabled for unauthorized users. Because any hacker can try to brute force your password and gain access to your system.

Disable SSH Root Login

So, its better to have another account that you regularly use and then switch to root user by using ‘su –‘ command when necessary. Before we start, make sure you have a regular user account and with that you su or sudo to gain root access.

In Linux, it’s very easy to create separate account, login as root user and simply run the ‘adduser‘ command to create separate user. Once user is created, just follow the below steps to disable root login via SSH.

We use sshd master configuration file to disable root login and this will may decrease and prevent the hacker from gaining root access to your Linux box. We also see how to enable root access again as well as how to limit ssh access based on users list.

Disable SSH Root Login

To disable root login, open the main ssh configuration file /etc/ssh/sshd_config with your choice of editor.

# vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Search for the following line in the file.

#PermitRootLogin no

Remove the ‘#‘ from the beginning of the line. Make the line look like similar to this.

I am Ravi Saive, creator of TecMint. A Computer Geek and Linux Guru who loves to share tricks and tips on Internet. Most Of My Servers runs on Open Source Platform called Linux. Follow Me: Twitter, Facebook and Google+

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